Best Interests Of The Children And Custody Matters – AFFC Guidelines

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Best Interests of the Children and Custody Matters

Determining what is in the best interests of your children is one of the most difficult aspects for families who are going through a separation or divorce. Fortunately, the AFCC Parenting Guidelines, developed by the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts (AFCC), provide strategies in a child-centered framework to assist parents who are finding themselves in a situation where they have to co-parent.

What Are The AFCC Parenting Guidelines?

The AFCC Parenting Guidelines are a set of best practices designed to support families in creating parenting plans that promote the well-being of children during and after divorce or separation. These guidelines are grounded in research and focus on reducing conflict, encouraging cooperation, and prioritizing the developmental needs of children.

Key Principles Of The AFCC Parenting Guidelines

  1. Child-Centered Decision Making

    • The main principle is that parenting plans should be based on the best interests of the child. Not what is convenient to the parents, or what the parents want.

    • The factors considered include the: age, developmental stage, emotional and physical needs, and the child’s relationship with each parent.

  2. Parental Responsibilities Over “Custody Battles”

    • Encouraging a movement away from traditional “custody” language and instead focusing on defining the responsibilities of each parent and what time-sharing looks like on a go-forward basis.
    • This shift helps reduce adversarial dynamics and encourages collaboration and working together for the benefit of the Child or Children.

  3. Developmentally Appropriate Schedules

    • There is a recognition that Children of different ages have different needs. The AFCC outlines how parenting time should evolve based on a child’s stage of development—from infancy through adolescence.
    • For example, young children may benefit from shorter, more frequent visits, while older children may thrive with longer stays and more input into the schedule.

  4. Consistency And Stability

    • Minimizing the disruption to your child’s routine and ensuring consistent communication and expectations between homes is critical. A shared journal is often recommended to assist parents in this communication.
    • The guidelines promote maintaining regular school attendance, social activities, and involvement in extended family.

  5. Flexibility And Adaptability

    • The AFCC emphasizes the importance of flexible parenting plans that can adapt to the evolving needs of children and changing circumstances of parents.

  6. Conflict Management

    • Reducing parental conflict is key to a child’s emotional health, and overall wellbeing. The guidelines recommend strategies for healthy communication, the use of parenting coordinators, and dispute resolution options like mediation.

Why These Guidelines Matter In Alberta

In Alberta, courts and legal professionals often reference the AFCC Parenting Guidelines when creating or reviewing parenting plans. While they are not legally binding, they carry significant weight because they are evidence-based and align with Alberta’s focus on the best interests of the child, as outlined in the Family Law Act and Divorce Act (Canada).

Navigating parenting after separation is rarely straightforward. Emotions run high, logistics can be complex, and every family has its own unique dynamic. The AFCC Parenting Guidelines play a crucial role in bringing clarity, structure, and fairness to this process. Here are few reasons why they are so valuable:

  1. They Put Children First

The primary goal of the guidelines is to protect the emotional, psychological, and developmental health of children. Research shows that high parental conflict and instability are some of the most damaging factors for children during divorce. By focusing on the child’s needs at every stage, the guidelines help minimize harm and promote long-term resilience.

  1. They Reduce Conflict Between Parents

Divorce and separation can turn into prolonged legal battles when expectations aren’t clear. These guidelines shift the focus away from “winning custody” toward building a cooperative parenting structure. This reduces animosity and helps parents work as a team — even when they disagree.

  1. They Provide A Neutral, Evidence-Based Framework

Instead of relying on personal opinions or inconsistent legal interpretations, the AFCC Parenting Guidelines offer a standardized, research-based approach. This is particularly helpful in court, mediation, or negotiation settings where clarity and consistency are essential.

  1. They Help Professionals Support Families Better

For lawyers, mediators, judges, and parenting coordinators, these guidelines offer a shared language and foundation to guide discussions and recommendations. That consistency improves outcomes and makes the legal process more predictable and fair.

  1. They Encourage Flexibility And Long-Term Thinking

Parenting plans shouldn’t be static. Children grow, circumstances change, and what works today may not work a year from now. The guidelines are designed to be adaptive, promoting plans that evolve with the family’s needs over time — which means fewer future disputes and court interventions.

How Kahane Law Office Can Help

At Kahane Law Office, our family law team is familiar with the AFCC Parenting Guidelines and uses them to guide clients in crafting thoughtful, customized parenting plans. Whether you’re creating a plan for the first time or seeking to revise an existing one, we’re here to help you focus on what matters most—your children’s well-being.

We also work closely with mediators, parenting experts, and the courts to ensure your parenting arrangements reflect the latest standards in family law and child development.

Contact Us Today

If you have questions about parenting plans or family law in Alberta, contact Kahane Law Office today. Our experienced team is ready to support you through every step of your parenting journey.

The family law lawyers at Kahane Law Office understand this seemingly overwhelming process. They are experienced with respect to parenting-related matters and how to best help you with your case. Schedule an appointment with one of our family law lawyers by contacting our office today at 403-225-8810.

This article is intended for informational purposes only. Readers are cautioned that this article does not constitute legal or professional advice and should not be relied on as such. Rather, readers should obtain specific legal advice in relation to the issues they are facing.